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We’re at the point in spring training when most of the prospects left in camp are either in a legitimate battle for a roster spot or are close enough to the majors that the team wants to see what it has. That, coupled with rain throughout parts of Florida on Monday, didn’t leave us with as much prospect action as usual, but most of the guys who had big days will be major leaguers at some point in 2014.

  • Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals: 3-4, 2B. No, spring training stats don’t matter, but when you’re handing a job over to a prospect, it’s nice to see him have some success to alleviate concern.
  • Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox: 1-2, R, 2B, BB. Bogaerts has had a few bumps in the road this spring, but there is little reason to worry. He’s going to be the Red Sox’ Opening Day shortstop, and he’s going to be just fine.
  • Javier Baez, 2B, Cubs: 1-3, 2 K. Baez didn’t do anything particularly notable on Monday, but he did get the start at second base (with Darwin Barney starting at shortstop), perhaps indicating a potential plan for the Cubs future. At the very least, some experience at the position will increase his versatility for the beginning of his career, when the Cubs might be trying to squeeze Starlin Castro, Mike Olt, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Baez into the same infield.
  • Matt Davidson, 3B, White Sox: 2-4, 2 R, K, 2 2B. There are some questions about Davidson’s bat, but not nearly enough to keep him from playing every day on the South Side this spring. His power will play.
  • Tim Wheeler, OF, Rockies: 1-2, R, HR, K. A second spring home run doesn’t seem like a big deal for a guy who once hit 33 in a minor-league season, but considering Wheeler hit just two in 92 games in 2012 and just five in all of last season, any power showings are a big deal.
  • Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Could he be even better than advertised? I’m trying not to get too worked up about spring performances, but I’m really excited about a full season of Ventura in the majors.

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MaineSkin
3/18
Your thoughts on CWS beat writer stating Gillepsi is looking like the starting 3B in Chi-town w/Davidson heading back to AAA?
moore315512
3/18
Hadn't seen that, but I think Davidson is the better player and is ready and should play.
matrueblood
3/18
White Sox GM Rick Hahn actually said that's the plan, publicly, over the weekend. Davidson just has a last box or two to check on each side of the ledger, so they're (very likely, anyway) going to send him to AAA for a bit to get those things cleaned up. He left the door open, but it was clear he intends to let Davidson simmer just a little while longer.
Behemoth
3/18
Sounds like service time control, assuming they don't think they will compete this year.
matrueblood
3/18
I can't disprove that, but scouts have (supposedly) been pretty unimpressed with his defense this spring, and Hahn said they want to see him make a change or two to increase his lateral range at third. I buy it.
dianagramr
3/18
Where do all the Cubs machinations in the infield leave Alcantara for 2014/15?
matrueblood
3/18
No one knows. I think it's very exciting, if you're a Cubs fan. Rizzo, Olt, Alcantara, Baez, Castro, Valbuena, Barney and maybe Bryant will all be ready, viable options for substantial playing time in 2015, and all are under team control. This season is about sorting through them all to determine who should get the gigs next season.
danrnelson
3/18
Normally I don't bother with spring stats, but Yordano faced a big-boy lineup with the only regular Ranger missing being Adrian Beltre. He made Choo, Fielder, and Andrus all look foolish. The curveball was nasty and the fastball was electric. Can't wait to watch this kid pitch every fifth day.
DukeDean
3/18
Impressive may be an understatement.
MattG1973
3/18
Some of Yordano's curveballs that he threw yesterday looked like optical illusions. I backed up the DVR to re-watch a few because it just doesn't seem like a baseball should be able to do that.
dshemie8
3/18
The crazy thing is that when talking about Baez, you missed Arismendy Alcantara as well as Dan Vogelbach. What a crowded infield. Crazy.